Hello, my name is Beth and I have a male bichon who is marking in the house, even when crated, and this started after he was neutered. I had him fixed at 6 months old. He is now 1 1/2 years old and marking non stop in the house, even if we crate him he marks in the crate. HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Ouch! This is a dominance problem and it's difficult. Even though he's neutered, now that he's becoming fully mature he's still a male dog and male hormones are being produced from other places, just as they are with humans.

Is Ginger amenable to Dexter being the dominant dog? If she is, then it will help to reinforce his position, thereby removing some of his perceived necessity for the territorial marking. Feed him first, address him first, you know the drill. You'll still have to figure out what his hot button is and use it to discipline him when he marks in the house. I won't tell you this is going to be easy or quick because it probably isn't.

There's always my tried and true method that most people think is completely ludicrous. Sit down and have a snout to snout talk with him about his behaviour. It's always worked for me - with dogs and cats.

Thank you for your feedback. I am going to try the snout to snout talk tonight as a matter of fact. I wonder if he will listen though, he tends to be a bit stubborn. I do have a male wrap (the kind that looks like a belt) and that is helping but he potty's in it sometimes. ( Thank goodness that is machine washable.) Could it also be attention deficit disorder? He really doesn't have potty accidents in the house.

As far as would Gidget be apt to let him be dominent, only in some things. She is not aggressive towards him which the vet at first thought would have been an issue. When I mentioned the situation to our vet she was surprised with the inside the kennel marking. But she mentioned it could be attention seeking. Which is right along the alley you mentioned!

I know this is not what you mentioned at all, but I still need to ask it, wouldn't Gidget who had been here a few years longer than Dexter feel I am pushing her aside then, she is very much that kind of an emotional girl, and I do not wish that feeling either or the start of another bad "habit" on top of his. I know my Gidget well enough to know she gets her nose pushed in sometimes. Again, I know this isn't what you mentioned, and I am not trying to be argumentative, just curious! (First time mom)

Thanks again for you great feedback. I will let you know what the snout to snout turns out, maybe this will my work.

You'd have to be the judge of Gidget's reaction, but you don't have to be really overboard about Dexter being first; give Ginger her food, attention, etc. immediately after. All it takes is setting one dish down before the other, giving one the treat just ahead of the other, that type of thing. Sometimes, too, you can sneak a little scratch or pet in to the one who is second; that's a very reassuring gesture, and the dog who got fed first doesn't notice, because he's got his head in his food bowl. Tricky, hmmm?

My bunch, especially the girls, are quite emotional (Kharma's a regular Drama Queen), but they understand this since it's something that is natural in a dog's view of the world. Even Shiva, who is so incredibly sensitive and can literally turn on the tears at a moment's notice is perfectly happy and well-adjusted with the fact that Bimmer always gets his first. There are times when only one of the dogs is in the house with me, maybe the other two are out hunting, and I give the one with me some special attention and time. As long as they all know they're special to me they are happy monsters.

Having a little girl talk with Ginger will probably go a long way, too.

It's much easier to talk to them when you have them alone, too, so the one you're trying to communicate with isn't distracted by what the other one is doing. And trust me, the other one will do it's best to distract, just like a jealous kid!

Again, thank you so much Renee. I love all the knowledge you have. I really do appreciate all the information you gave. I even forwarded it to my husband, he says everything is worth a try.

Can you believe we actually had someone tells us they would have put Dexter down for this? We are no longer on speaking terms with these people, but it is true, many people feel that way, so it is very reassuring to have a dog forum and such great people like you who totally understand our situation. Dexter is a great dog, we love him a lot. Gidget is also a great dog and we love her too, we are trying the switch thing and one day down so far so good! I will have that heart to heart with her too. I am also glad to hear my "diva" is a normal behavior!

Unbelievable, isn't it. People actually feel no qualms about killing a living creature because it's inconvenient or it's not fitting in with their lifestyle and expectations. Those are the people who need to just buy those sad little robotic pets. There isn't room in their cold, insular world for a living, breathing, loving creature.

Wonder what they do with their kids when THEY don't meet expectations?

I'm going to put the proverbial floating object in the punch bowl here: It's just too sad that so many are becoming so utterly self-centered and removed from emotions that they are giving their children robotic "pets" to love (?). We learn so much from our real, live, loving animal companions as we grow up; responsibility, putting the welfare of another before our own wants, respect for life, dealing with death and loss, how to work through problems and come out on the other side together, and maybe most importantly, how to love and be loved unconditionally. I can't help but fear that this lack in so many lives bodes ill. How cold and removed are we going to end up?

I agree with you totally. I thank God I was raised on a farm (it was all crops when my sister and I were born and raised there)where my grandfather and my parents taught us to respect all animals, even the ones you do not particularly like. I love all animals. I have to admit I am not a huge fan of snakes, but I still respect them. My parents would have smacked our butts if we mistreated an animal, after all they have feelings too, and they hurt just like us and they have happy moments just like humans, etc.

That is why when my husband and I found out we were unable to have "kids" we adopted/rescued these puppies. We knew we wanted two, and we waited after getting our first one until getting the other one, and let me tell you we have been so happy. A little frustrated with the marking but not angry or insensitive enough to put him down. I could never, there is nothing wrong with him! He really is a good boy! He feels the need to spread his wings is all. And to be totally honest with you the void I felt of not being a woman (when being told I was the reason we could not have children) Gidget and Dexter have filled several times over. I love my "kids" they are the best kids around (not that I am biased or anything)

My neighborhood sees me and calls me the animal woman! I can only say thank you! It is quite a compliment for me!

Thanks for also being a mom to all your kids, I know they love you to all ends of the earth!

I have a 6 month old Westie puppy(intact) and we have had problems with him peeing all over the house since we got him at 12 weeks old. After trying many things (keeping him crated for several hours at a time,limiting his water intake,keeping him on a leash attached to us etc)we have now put him on PPA...a pill used to tighten the sphincter muscle...3 times a day.
I wonder if this would be an option for you to try (with your Vet's ok).

No I have no idea how long "MacDuff" will be on this pill.I have a full bottle of 60 and he is taking 1 1/2 a day.He is a real sweetie...even with the peeing problem.So loving and gentle....we adore him.Wish my 9 yr female pug,Jazz liked him as much.She just ignores him and we think she misses her old friend, Mingi Li who died at 17 just before MacDuff moved in.
Do discuss this with your Vet..there is also another medicine DES that can be used.Good luck and never give up.There is always something that Vets can do or try.